"The planet closest to the Sun, Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system. Nicknamed the "Dead Planet, " Mercury is known for its extreme heat and steep cliffs. Learn these facts and more."--Cover.

Presents information on Mercury, the planet closest to the sun, as it was photographed by the U.S. spacecraft, Mariner 10. Includes a glossary and "Mercury Quick Facts."

Simple text and photographs describe the planet Mercury.

"In this book, readers are introduced to the planet Mercury"--

"Young readers can explore Mercury and learn what scientists hope to discover about it in the future. Engaging text discussing up-to-date scientific information paired with photos from NASA create an engaging learning experience."--

"Stargazers have observed Mercury, Venus, and Mars--the other small, rocky planets in our solar system besides Earth--for thousands of years. More recently, we have begun to explore our neighbors in outer space via flyby spacecraft, probes, and rovers. Readers will learn how these expeditions have expanded our knowledge of these planets' atmosphere, surface, features, and even potential for life. A must read for anyone interested in discovering more...

Traces the development of our knowledge of Mercury's orbit, surface features, and atmosphere from the third century B.C. to the present.

Describes the orbit, rotation, temperature, and surface formations of the planet Mercury and the probe Mariner X that took pictures of it in 1974 and 1975.